Obituary: My Computer

[HONkUS]

SO I walk into my room last night and find all the leds in my computer flashing. Turns out my PSU died and took my mobo and maybe ram and proc with it (Since im the only AM2 guy in my house i cant mix and match parts to try and find the fault(s)). Only things that still work are my Eliminator (imagine that ), my 8800GTS (Thank you computer gods!) and my Hard Drives (Thank you computer gods!) Since i was planning on upgrading to a Phenom x4 and either a Nv 680a or AMD 790 mobo in November/December its not as bad as it could of been but it means im without a computer till then . Just for the record I had a Hiper Type-R 580w modular PSU. I read great reviews on this unit before I bought it but now this is the second unit ive seen have problems in six months.

On the upside my folks were going to get me a laptop for school for christmas so that might get moved up out of pity.

Speaking of which has anyone dealt with http://www.xoticpc.com before? Im looking to get the laptop from them. I read a bunch of reviews and they seem positive plus they are about $1000 bucks cheaper then Dell but thats not hard to do lol. BUt if anyones had problems with these guys please let me know.

The funeral will be held tonight at 8pm for anyone who can make it.

PS: It will be an open casket funeral.

[dicecca112]

What's the budget on the Laptop. Trust me you can configure a Dell at a price than can beat almost all manufacturers

[HONkUS]

Here's what im looking at for a laptop from XoticPC:

SAGER NP2090 Custom Laptop (Built on Compal IFL90)
- 15.4" WXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1280x800)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- 1-Year "No Dead Pixel" Guarantee
- ~Intel® Core™2 Duo T7250 2.0GHz w/2MB L2 On-die cache - 800MHz FSB
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 8600GT DX10
- ~ 2,048MB DDR2 667 PC2 5300 (2 SODIMMS) Dual Channel Memory
- - Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X DVDRW Drive w/ Software
- ~ 100GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA 150)
- Internal 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO)
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Integrated System Speakers - Included
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11 a/g/n
- Carying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Smart Li-ion Battery (9-Cell)
- 110/220V 120W Auto Switching AC Adapter - Included
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- None Standard - Drivers & Utility Software Only
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime Toll Free Tech Support (Extra 2 Year Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)

Total: $1,391.00

yes the first digit really is a "1" lol

[dicecca112]

Looks good to me, i got my laptop cheaper than that with similar specs.

[HONkUS]

Really? who did you get it thru what are the specs? im all for saving money lol

[dicecca112]

I suggest you go here and do some research. http://forum.notebookreview.com

There are some coupons floating around.

[Apoptosis]

That notebook doesn't have DVI or HDMI ports, but other than that it sounds like a solid notebook by Compal. Why not build it yourself? Can you call around and find a distributor for Compal/Clevo close to your home town?

I looked at that site and the fact they charge $37 for Arctic Silver 5 is a joke... don't pay that... You really don't need the Robson Turbo Memory option either...

[dicecca112]

yup a can vouch for the Robson, I have it, but I got it for free. It does nothing. I went with the Dell because I don't need DVI out, hell I don't need VGA out.

[Apoptosis]

the barebones with the Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X DVDRW Drive w/ Software is $856

eWiz has the Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 for $193.13 - http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=T7250&c=fr&show=p

you can get 2GB (2 x 1024MB) of Mushkin DDR2 667MHz SO-DIMM's for $49.99 after rebate - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820146125

A Seagate Momentus 7200.1 100GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Notebook Hard Drive is $109.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822146226

the Intel 4965 wireless card is $36 - http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDeta ... ku=7930201

$1245.11 right there -- That's better than $1,391.00 you are thinking... Save nearly $150 to put it together yourself and buy the parts on your own... they make their money in the parts you buy.

[HONkUS]

Thanks for the links! I thought about building it myself but i don't have any experience building laptops and I really can't screw this one up. I need something for school ASAP infact ill probably be ordering this in the next few days.

I agree that the AS5 charge is crazy but AS5 is standard on the one im getting and I wouldn't dream of getting that turbo memory crap. I just need this thing ASAP and I don't have time with school going on right now to call and complain to a bunch of different online sites if they screw up my order. People have been positive about this xoticpc site and I have respect for a company that even offers AS5 at all even if it is for a ridiculous price. Also I like that you don't HAVE to get it with an OS, no OS means absolutely no bloatware and its not like any of us don't have access to an XP license these days. If I had time to do anything right now I absolutely would build my own but since that isn't an option i think im going to give this company a try.

Now i wouldn't dream of buying a prebuilt desktop and I fully intend to rebuild my machine myself. I hope that lets me reclaim some of my e-manhood.

Also does the barebones come with the 8600GT Apop?

[Apoptosis]

Also does the barebones come with the 8600GT Apop?

yuppers.... you could assemble the pieces in less than 15 minutes, but if you're in a time crunch you gotta get things done and I understand that.

[dicecca112]

depending on the shell, if your board accepts MXM cards, you can get one. Damn Dell for using there own standard. I want an 8600 in this not a 8400gs.

[ibleet]

You guys seem to be fixated on the 8600M GT...well, what about the 8700M GT? It performs a lot better. The 8600 got roughly 3200 in 3D Mark06 and the 8700 got 4600.

I'm waiting on the 8800M GT...I don't like a card with only a 128bit bus, so for now I will stick with the Go 7900GS, or the 7950GTX. The 7900GS outperforms the 8600 with a score of 3800 while the 7950GTX beats them all with a 5300.

[dicecca112]

You guys seem to be fixated on the 8600M GT...well, what about the 8700M GT? It performs a lot better. The 8600 got roughly 3200 in 3D Mark06 and the 8700 got 4600.

I'm waiting on the 8800M GT...I don't like a card with only a 128bit bus, so for now I will stick with the Go 7900GS, or the 7950GTX. The 7900GS outperforms the 8600 with a score of 3800 while the 7950GTX beats them all with a 5300.

8800 and the 8700 are hard to find

[HONkUS]

you could assemble the pieces in less than 15 minutes

Nothing with building computers is ever that simple, at least not for me lol

[dicecca112]

how true, and when it does, the parts smack you down to size and you have an impossible build that takes forever to get working right.

[ibleet]

While I've never built my own laptop, I've tore down enough to know that it wouldn't be difficult. I can understand your urgency in buying one pre-built though.

I mostly like what I see with xoticpc, except for the arctic silver and that dead pixel guarantee. IMO both are ridiculous. I've owned laptops for years and I've not once had a need for a dead pixel guarantee.

I recently picked up an E1705 from the Dell outlet store for under $900 as follows:

C2D T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2 DIMMs)
80 GB SATA Hard Drive
17 inch UltraSharp Wide Screen UXGA Notebook Screen
256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS
24X CD RW/DVD Combo Drive
Intel Pro Wireless 3945
Windows XP Media Center 2005
1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service

The E1705 is basically an XPS M1710 without all the pretty lights so its a good deal atm. A similarly configured M1710 would cost an additional $1000.

[dicecca112]

nice man, that is a good looking machine

[ibleet]

Thanks Man!

Keep the Dell outlet in mind Honkus in case you don't choose xoticpc.

Or...since you like Vista and DX10 cards, try this Toshiba on for size.

[HONkUS]

well im not so happy with vista at the moment the main use of this laptop will be photoshop, flash, Maya, and Source SDK so I figured having the DX10 capability would be nice for when/if they manage to turn vista into a better alternative than XP. But holy crap that Toshiba is an awesome price considering it comes with that relatively rare 8700gt AND an HD DVD drive! My only worry is batter life. But damn that Toshiba looks nice! I might go with it and put XP on there. My only other worry is the proccessor speed but im sure this c2d @ 1.8ghz will compile faster then my old Athlon x2 4200.